- Chelsea hosted League Two outfit Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night
- Blues boss Enzo Maresca made 11 changes before watching his ‘Team B’ run riot
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Chelsea fans have called on Enzo Maresca to bring one player into the regular starting XI after their dazzling display in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues made a brilliant start to Tuesday’s third-round clash with Barrow by scoring three goals inside the opening half an hour – before adding two more in the second-half to seal a 5-0 win.
Christopher Nkunku bagged a hat-trick, Paul Farman scored an own goal and Pedro Neto also netted for Chelsea.
But it was Joao Felix who arguably shone the brightest in a starting XI that included zero players who had begun Saturday’s 3-0 win at West Ham.
Felix set up Nkunku’s first goal with a delightful chipped through pass.
The Portuguese playmaker was then unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself when his 25-yard free-kick hit the post before rebounding into the net via Barrow keeper Farman’s back.
Felix had not started a game for Chelsea this season prior to Tuesday night.
His first four appearances under new manager Enzo Maresca had come as a substitute in the Premier League.
But after seeing Felix dazzle against League Two Barrow, several Blues supporters called on Maresca to give him more game time against stronger opposition.
One fan tweeted: ‘Bench whoever we have to to play Felix. Doesn’t matter who, he can’t be on the bench EVER.’
Reacting to his free-kick that led to the own goal, another message read: ‘When Joao Felix hits the ball, you know the end result.’
A third fan tweeted: ‘That’s exactly why I wanted Felix back. Special player.’
Nkunku also received his fair share of praise via social media.
‘Can’t believe this is our team B,’ wrote one fan reacting to Felix assisting Nkunku in the eighth minute.
Another excited Blues supporter declared: ‘Cup competitions are gna be so fun with Felix & Nkunku around’.
Chelsea have now registered three consecutive victories without conceding.
After winning 1-0 at Bournemouth, 3-0 at West Ham and now 5-0 at home against Barrow, next up for the Blues is a home clash with Brighton on Saturday.
